different profile tyres front and rear

pd52

so confusing. The car handles really great wet and dry atm and really sticks to the road in bends (I know the mk7 zetec s is only a 1.6 but it really feels like a little go kart! reminds me of the 205 gti:)) so when /if I change the rears I'll want bridgestones potenza again as Ive found them really good. (cheapest ive seen is £86 not fitted )

Im just worried now about insurance/accidents

Iceweasel

Honda_Lad wrote: »

if it was that dangerous it would fail an MOT.

You obviously do not understand the limitations of a UK annual test.

Try reading Section 4.1 of the current manual.

The MOT only checks that the wheels on the same axle are the same. So you can have any variations you like between the axles.

The MOT does NOT check for potentially dangerous things that are not in the testers manual.

For example, a car with totally inadequate load and speed rating tyres (likely fitted because they are cheaper) will pass an MOT as the tester simply doesn't check those things.

I made the point in an earlier post that non-recommended tyres (and wheels) are in the annual test in most other EU countries.

But of course they are all stupid foreigners I suppose.

Joe_Horner

pd52 wrote: »

so confusing. The car handles really great wet and dry atm and really sticks to the road in bends (I know the mk7 zetec s is only a 1.6 but it really feels like a little go kart! reminds me of the 205 gti:)) so when /if I change the rears I'll want bridgestones potenza again as Ive found them really good. (cheapest ive seen is £86 not fitted )

Im just worried now about insurance/accidents

There's honestly no need at all to worry. As you've already found out (by driving it before you even knew of the "problem") the handling is fine and it hasn't been turned into a death trap.

If you're concerned about the insurance then phone them and ask them if it'll be a problem, or if there'd be a premium change - you can always say you're thinking of fitting that size for economy.

If they say it's fine but need an admin charge or premium increase then compare the cost of that to the cost of new tyres.

JustinR1979

Good shout, ask insurance before changing them.
I bet it's safer with new 'incorrect' size tyres than the old worn out correct size, so stop worrying


Only worry if it's a calibra turbo, as the transfer box will blow up.

pvt

I've got a Fordson tractor. This thread's got me rather worried now....:eek:

Seriously. The difference in performance between the OPs front and rear tyres is less significant than it would be if he had all the same size but with a top notch brand on one axle and budget boots on the other.

There's some right pedants about.

Iceweasel

pvt wrote: »

There's some right pedants about.

And there are some folks about who have never had an insurance assessor crawl all over their car looking for any excuse to reject or reduce the amount they are going to pay out.

Typhoon2000

Manufactures of typical average cars choose their tyres for comfort and economy, and possibly wear rate. Their choice is a compromise. A lower profile tyre with less side wall flex would be safer but more uncomfortable on poor roads. Thread pattern and tyre pressures ( and varring them by the load/passengers) you are carrying would make a bigger differance than a small differance in aspect ratio. Running summer tyre in cold weather more dangerous as well. Wider tyres will give you more grip but you will pay more at the pumps.

Joe_Horner

Iceweasel wrote: »

And there are some folks about who have never had an insurance assessor crawl all over their car looking for any excuse to reject or reduce the amount they are going to pay out.

True enough, and I plead guilty to that. Partly because, in nearly 30 years on the road, I've managed to avoid everything that's been thrown at me by the conditions and oter drivers, so have never had to make a claim.

From kids running between cars, loose wildlife and farm stock around bends, geriatrics having an old moment, to idiot chavs who think that just because they can hold the road at that speed there'll be no-one coming the other way.

I've managed to avoid them all in,in every conceivable (for this country) weather and every type of road. Sometimes I've even done it on mis-matched tyres and on summer tyres in the winter!!!

Oh, and I'm not a particularly slow driver - speed limits are strictly for guidance

Spicy_McHaggis

I'm sure the 3.somthing % difference in real terms would make no difference to the handling of the car.

But if the worst were to happen could the insurance have an issue with it?

If they refused to pay out for the OPs vehicle how far would he have to push it?

Joe_Horner

If something happened that wasn't the OPs fault (other car hits him) then it wouldn't be a factor at all.

If something happened that was the OP's fault, or partly, then they might want to reduce payout either by any difference in premium that they would have charged, or in proportion to any increased premium. So, for example, if telling them about the tyres would have added £100 to his £500 premium then, on a fault claim for £1200, they might try to settle for £1000.

A dummy quote, or phoning his insurers for a quote based on "any mods? yes, non-standard rear tyres" should give an idea of whether there'd be a premium hike. The chances are that, if he actually spoke to his insurer, there'd be no change in the premium because the change in the tyres won't increase risk in any meaningful way.

Only his insurers can say for certain though.